New immigration rules under Donald Trump will soon bar green card holders from receiving certain SBA government loans, while also introducing heightened scrutiny and travel restrictions for both domestic and international travel.
#1 Green Card Holders Banned from Receiving SBA Loans
Under a major policy change by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), green card holders (lawful permanent residents) will no longer be eligible for SBA-backed business loans beginning March 1, 2026.
- What’s changing: The SBA issued updated guidance requiring that 100% of all direct and indirect owners of a business seeking SBA loans must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals with their principal residence in the United States. This eliminates any eligibility for businesses owned by green card holders.
- Effective date: The rule goes into effect March 1, 2026, meaning any SBA loan applications must have been assigned a loan number before that date to qualify under the old eligibility standards.
- Programs affected: Major SBA lending programs such as the 7(a) and 504 loan programs will be impacted, cutting off access to federal funding for small businesses owned by green card holders.
#2 New Rules for Green Card Holders Traveling or Planning to Leave the U.S.
A new trend over the past three weeks indicates that green card holders returning from any of the 75 countries listed under President Trump’s visa ban are increasingly being sent to secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for additional questioning. While most are ultimately admitted, the added scrutiny creates yet another hurdle for lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S. after temporary foreign travel.
Social media vetting is also increasing, with green card holders reportedly being asked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to display their social media accounts during re-entry inspections. Before traveling, it is important to review social media content that could be misinterpreted, taken out of context, or that is inconsistent with your immigration history.
Finally, if you plan to travel to one of the 75 countries named in President’s Trump’s visa ban, it is important to carry documentation explaining the purpose of your trip and evidence of your strong ties to the United States. Being prepared will help facilitate a smoother re-entry process.
#3 Stricter Public Charge Enforcement for Green Card Applicants
A renewed focus on public charge enforcement could significantly impact green card holders and applicants in 2026. Under new policy changes, immigration authorities may soon apply heightened scrutiny to determine whether an individual is likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance (also known as a public charge), and therefore ineligible for a green card.
These changes may include a closer review of income levels, employment history, use of certain public benefits, credit history, and overall financial stability.
While existing lawful permanent residents are not automatically penalized for using benefits they are legally entitled to receive, expanded enforcement may mean that receiving certain public benefits may affect future immigration filings, such as applications for U.S. Citizenship or even reentry after extended foreign travel.
It is important to remember that the government’s justification behind the 75-country restriction on immigrant visa issuance is tied to public charge concerns. The administration has argued that heightened screening of applicants from these countries is necessary to ensure that incoming immigrants are financially self-sufficient and unlikely to rely primarily on government assistance.
As a result, consular officers will apply more rigorous financial scrutiny, placing greater emphasis on affidavits of support, income documentation, assets, and overall economic stability before approving immigrant visas.
If you have used, or are considering using public benefits, speak with an immigration attorney to understand how it could impact your status or future applications. Seeking legal guidance before applying for any benefits can help prevent unintended consequences.
#4 Pause and Reconsideration of Green Card Applications
A recent USCIS policy memo has shown that green card applications may be subject to retrospective review going back four to five years.
The December memo directs U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expand reviews, and place holds on immigration benefit applications. Under this guidance, officers can pause pending requests for individuals linked to designated “high-risk” countries and re-examine benefits, including green cards, granted on or after January 20, 2021. This means cases from the past four to five years could face additional scrutiny, interviews, or reevaluation.
This re-evaluation is already occurring, particularly when green card holders apply for future immigration benefits, such as U.S. citizenship.
#5 Trump Administration Favoring Wealthy & Skilled
Unlike his first term, President Trump’s immigration policies increasingly favor wealthy and highly skilled individuals. Such immigration policies, such as the Gold Card, are designed to prioritize applicants with significant financial resources or specialized expertise, while ordinary immigrants face stricter scrutiny and higher barriers.
This approach has also increased vetting for lower-skilled visa categories, introduced more stringent requirements for family-based immigration, and created more incentives for wealthy investors and highly educated professionals.
The Bottom Line
The result is a system that tilts access toward those with greater means or advanced skills, reflecting the President’s broader priorities of attracting wealth and specialized talent. This shift often came at the expense of lower-income or family-based applicants, creating a more selective immigration landscape that rewards financial resources and professional expertise over other applicants.
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